When I was in interior design school, one of my professors shared with us the following quote: “You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these. You are the sound of the ocean, the breath of fresh air, the brightest light and the darkest corner. You are a collective of every experience you have had in your life. You are every single day. So drown yourself in a sea of knowledge and existence. Let the words run through your veins and let the colors fill your mind.” ~~Jac Vanek

The whole point of her sharing this quote was to encourage us to seek out inspiration. One of the challenges of being a designer or anyone in a creative field is that moment when you feel like your creativity has dried up. I remember her encouraging us to read books, watch movies, and have as many experiences as we could that would expose us to new and different ideas. I recenly heard about a trend happening on Instagram where you’re supposed to share ten books that have been impactful in your life. I thought I would share a few of the books that have been most impactful in my life. If you’re looking for a few good reads, try these classics!

As I’m planning for a new year, I always like to make a list of books I want to read in the coming year. I’ve love any recommendations! What about you? Do you have books that have definitely shaped who you are?